The Library Bus

PreS-Gr 1—Villages and refugee camps in Kabul are visited by the area's only library bus in this picture book that celebrates the continued fight of Afghani women for education. Pari joins her mother on her rounds in a school bus that doesn't have bus seats, but tables and shelves, to bring books and school supplies to the girls she teaches English. Mama welcomes the excited girls and leads them through the ABCs and counting to 10. The girls browse the shelves looking for new books to read as Pari hands out new pencils. Grimard uses her soft watercolor palette to contrast the tans, beiges, and browns of the desert with brightly colored chadors surrounding the girls' smiling faces and long, dark hair. Mama tells Pari how her grandfather, who is illustrated with head covering, a great white beard, and friendly face, taught her to read hidden in their basement. Mama wants Pari to "[S]tudy hard. Never stop learning. Then you will be free." When Mama asks Pari "how does learning make you feel," the young girl throws her hands up, smiles and yells "FREE!" An author's note follows, explaining refugee camps, growing up under the Taliban, and the author's personal admiration of female teachers in their pursuit of an education. VERDICT The conversational text is great for one-on-one sharing, but this will also come in handy at story times, for a celebration of reading, and for a glimpse of Afghani culture.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington P.L., NY

Praise for The Library Bus

★ STARRED REVIEW The conversational text is great for one-on-one sharing, but this will also come in handy at story times, for a celebration of reading, and for a glimpse of Afghani culture.—School Library Journal Starred Review

In a story inspired by the first library bus in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Rahman grew up during the civil war, it brings books to girls in remote villages and refugee camps who have no other access to education.—The New York Times

Bahram Rahman's The Library Bus is inspired by growing up in Afghanistan and by the children he met during visits to orphanages and camps in Kabul....Gabrielle Grimard's characteristically warm style and her animated representation of Pari and the other children beautifully brings to life the vitality and potential of the girls in the book.—Quill & Quire

The Library Bus reminds us what a luxury it is to learn to read....Award-winning illustrator Gabrielle Grimard brings this story to life with water-colour paintings of the refugee camps, villages, and the little children who live there.—Montreal Review of Books